World Bank to Help Scale-Up Water Sanitation Coverage in Indonesia

Third Water Supply and Sanitation for Low Income Communities project expected to provide improved water and sanitation to 11.6 million Indonesians

Washington DC, May 2, 2013 – Over 11 million Indonesians across the country are set to benefit from improved water and sanitation facilities following approval of additional financing today by the World Bank Board of Directors.

The Third Water Supply and Sanitation for Low Income Communities project – known locally since its launch in 2006 as the PAMSIMAS project (Penyediaan Air Minum dan Sanitasi Berbasis Masyarakat) – supports an Indonesian government led initiative to expand access to safe water and sanitation, and improve hygiene.

“By scaling up this project with additional financing, the World Bank hopes to double coverage from 15 provinces to 32 provinces, as well as more than double the number of families that will benefit from safer sanitation,” says World Bank Country Director for Indonesia, Stefan Koeberle. “One key to the program’s success has been the community-driven approach, which the World Bank continues to support.”

Poor sanitation facilities can have a debilitating impact on communities, prompting poor public health, and limiting the potential of economic growth.

Two of the four most important causes of under-5 mortality in Indonesia —diarrhea and typhoid—are fecal-borne illnesses directly linked to poor water supply, sanitation, and hygiene. Impediments to water supply also lead to women and children from low-income households spending too much time fetching water.

The Third Water Supply and Sanitation for Low Income Communities project complements the “Water for All” program led by Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works, and “Community-Led Total Sanitation” program managed by the Ministry of Health.